Thursday, October 13, 2011

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Karen Michelle Nutt

UFI welcomes Author Karen Michelle Nutt. Thanks for Joining us!!

How to Kill a Vampire by Karen Michelle Nutt


The legend of the vampire has changed through the centuries with various names for the blood-sucking creature. During the 1500s, they were named demons or witches who could cast spells and drain the life force from their victims, along with drinking their blood. In the 1800s, vampires became more like the blood-drinking creatures depicted in movies and books of today. It wasn’t until the 1800s when driving the stake through the heart came into practice to stop the vampire from rising. In medieval time, they had a whole different ritual.


According to medieval and religious texts, the vampire was called a shroud-eater. The vampire would eat through the burial shroud, which the texts claimed was like mother’s milk to the vampire. Once they ate through the shroud, they would suck whatever remaining life force remained in the corpses around them. They also believed that a vampire could cast a spell from the grave to spread the plague and make himself or herself more powerful. When the vampire had enough strength, it would go out and feed on the living.


Not too long ago, archeologists unearthed a corpse in Venice where a vampire ritual had been performed. The 16th century woman had a brick stuck between her jaws. The well- preserved skeleton was found on Lazzaretto Nuovo Island, north of Lagoon City. The supposed vampire was buried among other corpses in a mass grave during an epidemic that hit Vencie in 1576. This is the first evidence found of an exorcism against a vampire.


When there was an epidemic, graves were reopened to bury the new corpses. Unfortunately, we do not dissolve gracefully into dust once we die. Bloated bodies from gasses, blood seeping out of the mouth due to decomposing organs, and holes in the shroud from bacteria in the mouth would leave a disturbing impression that the corpses was somehow alive and feeding off the other bodies. You have to remember this is a time where the spread of bacteria was virtually unknown. Superstitions were at a high when plague epidemics broke out. It is no wonder their imagination conjured up vampires and ways to kill them.


 
In the 1800s a vampire kit was available for purchase. There were stakes, mirrors, a gun with silver bullets, crosses, a Bible, holy water, candles and even garlic. It was all housed in a American walnut case with a carved cross on top. One of these kits was attained for $14,850 in an auction.


In Love’s Eternal Embrace, I took the Irish legend of the Dearg-due and added few twist of my own to pen this 13th century tale of romance.


Blurb:
A knight... A lady... And a deadly dark secret...
A fiend dwells in the forest and Sir Liam Cantwell sets out to slay it. Only the fiend is
a fair maiden named Glamis Drui. Will Liam fall prey to her deadly embrace or will his
knightly charms be her undoing?


***I’m offering a coupon for a free e-book copy of Love’s Eternal Embrace to one lucky commenter. All you have to do is answer this question: What is your favorite vampire legend, book or movie? I look forward to reading your answers.


Stacy, thank you so much for having me here today.
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Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chihuahua/Yorkshire terrier is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

Her new passion is creating book covers for Western Trail Blazers and Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing.

Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.
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Find Karen and her books
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Love's Eternal Embrace
September 30, 2011



A knight...
A lady...
And a deadly dark secret...

A fiend dwells in the forest and Sir Liam Cantwell sets out to slay it. Only the fiend is a fair maiden named Glamis Drui. Will Liam fall prey to her deadly embrace or will his knightly charms be her undoing?

__________________________________ 





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48 comments:

  1. PrangonOctober 13, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Great post! It's fascinating story about the woman with brick stuck between her jaws, never knew about that until now.

    As for vampire legend, there are TONS all around the world but I love the local ones I have been hearing while growing up. It's a huge story! lol
    But my all time favorite vampire movie would have to be 'Queen Of The Damned'.

    smittenskitten10@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Thank you, Stacy for having me here today.

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  3. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Smitten Kitten,

    Stuart Townsend made a mighty fine vampire. :)

    Thanks for popping in and sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. katsrusOctober 13, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    I would say anything about Vlad the impaler. That guy was creepy with all the time he did. And I love the Dracula movie with Bela Lugosi. True Blood is my favorite vamp show right now. Love your book cover. Your book sounds so good.
    Sue B

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  5. Rain MaidenOctober 13, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    I love all the do's and don'ts that surround vampires. The garlic, holy water and I just read about vampires not being able to cross running water. The skull and brick is creepy. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sarah CoulseyOctober 13, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    Ok, I have to be the dork of the group, but I love the Twilight series. I like that the vamps don't attack humans, and Robert Pattinson is cute!!! lol

    I also loved the Leslie Neilson movie Dracula Dead and Loving it!!!

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. desitheblondeOctober 13, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    wow that hard i like the move Dracula but i have finished a book call the vampire empire and then the other one was the opera macabre and both were great book and would love to read your
    desitheblonde@msn.com

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  8. LorettaLynn//TempranceOctober 13, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    I love Interview with the Vampire,It's one of my all time favs. And when it comes to books,I havent found any i havent liked:)
    Thank you for the great giveaway!!
    elliott2668(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. NaOctober 13, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    I am working my way through the BDB series and the Night Huntress series and like them both.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Victoria ZumbrumOctober 13, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    I love Twilight series and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Sue,

    Re Book Cover: Thanks so much. I'm glad you like it.

    True Blood-- I enjoy the show too, but I kind of like the werewolf, Alcide more than the vamps. lol

    Thank you so much for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Rain Maiden,

    I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. I love the legends about vampires. The Chiang-shi (the Chinese vampire) cannot cross water. I read about it a few years back for another story. The legend is fascinating. There's a whole complex way of killing the them, too.

    Thank you for coming by and sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Sarah,

    It's okay to be a Twilight Geek. lol

    Robert Pattinson is cute! I really liked him in Water for Elephants, too.

    I've never seen Leslie Neilson movie Dracula Dead and Loving it. I'll have to check it out.

    Thanks so much for posting. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Desitheblonde,

    Opera Macabre by Michelle Rodriguez sounds really good. Michelle was a guest on blog a few weeks back. I have her book down on my ever growing "to buy list."

    Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Temperance,

    Interview with a Vampire was chilling. Brad Pitt played a great tortured soul, didn't he?

    Thank you for coming by and joining us today. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    Na,

    I've heard some really good things about the Night Huntress Series. I'll have to check them out.

    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Victoria,

    I was a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have the complete series and the corny movie, too. lol

    I have to share a funny story about this series.

    My son was maybe five or six when the series was on TV. I didn't really let him sit down and see the show, but he heard enough from his sisters about Angel the vampire. My daughter had a poster of him.

    Every night we would say our prayers and a favorite was Angel of God my Guardian dear... You've probably know the prayer. One night, my son asks me why we pray to vampires. I had know idea what he was talking about, but then he explains to me about Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Angel of God my guardian dear...

    I was horrified to think all this time he thought we prayed to vampires. Of course, we had a long talk. I sure hope he never told his teachers. lol

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  18. CarolOctober 13, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    The original Bram Stoker tale is still my favorite.

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  19. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 13, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Hi Carol,

    You can't beat the original Bram Stoker tale. Classic!

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sarah J. McNealOctober 13, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I think the snappy dialogue really sold me on those--and it didn't hurt that Angel was gorgeous. Actually, my favorite character was spike. Josh Whedon created such fantastic characters.
    I love what you said about your son thinking he was praying to vampires--and I see your dilemma with it, too.
    As much as I'm not a big fan of Tom Cruise, I have to say I liked the was he portrayed Lasett in Diary of a Vampire.
    Not a Twilight fan. Bella seems like a girl that sees her identity in whatever man she's with. Just saying.
    Great blog and conversation, Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousOctober 13, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    I'm a great fan of vampire fiction. Write it myself and love to read other mythos of the blooddrinkers.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 14, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    Hi Sarah!

    Thanks so much for joining us.
    I think Tom Cruise has some issues, but I don't have to ask him to tea. lol But I think he's a talented actor. He did an excellent job as Lasett. Loved him in Mission Impossible movies. I can't wait for the new one to come out.

    My girls love Twilight. I thought the first book was good. The movies were a little slow to me, but I still went and saw all of them. lol I'll most likely see the next one, too.

    Thanks again for coming by.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 14, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Nitethyme, (Linda Nightingale/Bianca Swan)

    I enjoyed your vampire tale, Black Swan. You do know how to spin a tale from dark vampires to sinfully erotic angels. :)

    Thanks so much for popping in and saying hi!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AudraOctober 14, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    I like DARK SHADOWS--- Great interview
    audie{at]wickerness{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 14, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Hello Audra,

    Dark Shadows-- I remember that soap opera and the remake in the 90s. Did you know they are making a movie, starring Johnny Depp? Can't wait to see him as a vampire. :)

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  26. DANIELAOctober 14, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    Hi
    My favorite stories are the BDB series by JR Ward and Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian.
    I love vamps, but when there is romance involved!

    Daniela.
    dany7578 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 15, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    Daniella,

    I love JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. My daughter introduced me to to the series. I couldn't put them down. My favorite is Zsadist's story.

    I've read Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian, but I haven't read any of her other stories in the series. I know there's quite a few.

    Thanks so much for coming by and telling us about the series meant for vampire lovers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. StephanieOctober 15, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    I'm a fan of the Night Huntress series, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and the Dark Hunter series.

    Skk25@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 15, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Stephanie,

    You're in good company here. :)

    Thanks for coming by and joining the party.

    ReplyDelete
  30. CathyOctober 16, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Hello,

    Interesting post. I always thought vampires had to be staked to be killed. I never heard of the brick in the mouth.

    My favorite vampires are the vamps from Vampire Diaries. It's one of my favorite shows right now. I have to say, I also liked Angel.

    I chuckled at your story about your son thinking you prayed to vampires. Too funny.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 16, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Thanks for coming by, Cathy!

    I'm a fan of the Vampire Diaries, too. This last episode was one of the best ones yet!

    ReplyDelete
  32. LindsayOctober 16, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I'd have to say my favorite vampire story has to be Bram Stoker's Dracula. He was the first and the best.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 16, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Lindsay,

    We have few Bram Stoker fans here. :)

    Did you know Bram Stoker may have actually based his story on the Irish Dearg-due and not Count Dracula? I'm going to blog about it at the Bewitching Trick or Treat Blog Hop on Oct. 28th-31st. If you're interested on the lore, pop in for visit at
    http://wwww. kmnbooks.blogspot.com. There's lots of prizes available, too. :)

    Thanks so much for joining us vampire lovers.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tony-PaulOctober 17, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    I remember seeing that story about the woman buried with the brick on a Hallowe'en History channel special. Other ways to keep vampires in their graves were to bind the arms, legs, and neck with willow wythes and drive the ends of the branches into the dirt, and also to covered the grave with heavy stones (the origin of the grave slab). I use the idea of the dearg-due in my novel Vampires are forever, BTW.

    ReplyDelete
  35. desitheblondeOctober 17, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    i have been getting vamps books form
    differnt kind of authros beacuse of the i like them and wnat them to read them and then
    i love the book andifo you had the on here
    desitheblonde@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Jolene and FamilyOctober 17, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    I love Dracula 2000, Gerard Butler...enough said :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 18, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Tony Paul

    Interesting tidbit about how to keep vampires in the grave.

    I'll have to check up your vampire novel with the dearg-due.

    Thanks for coming by and sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 18, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Desitheblonde,

    I'm glad you enjoyed the info about vampires. Legends and superstitions have me intrigued, too.

    Thanks for coming by.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 18, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Jolene and Family,

    My daughters love Dracula 2000. Gerard Butler looks really young in that movie. And you are right, Gerard Butler... enough said. lol


    Thanks for joining us. :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Sarah J. McNealOctober 18, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    What a fascinating blog. I saw the Vampire Kit on TV couldn't believe there was such a thing. Interesting about the brick in the mouth of the skull. Goodness, where do you find this stuff? I can't wait to read your new book. From the blurb, it looks riveting.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 19, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Hi Sarah,

    I love researching for interesting topics and potential tales to tell. Sometimes I'm so busy looking up tidbits of history, I haven't written a single word. lol

    Thanks so much for coming by.

    ReplyDelete
  42. P.L. ParkerOctober 21, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Well, dang it I am too late and the book sounds terrific. Love the research!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 21, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Patsy,

    Thanks so much for coming by. :)

    Hint-- I'm giving away this book again at the TRS Halloween event. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 21, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Congratulations Sarah Coulsey! Thank you everyone for coming by and saying hi.

    Stacy,
    Thank you again for having me.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Linda Thomas-SundstromOctober 22, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Hi Karen - I read the article about the vampires in Venice and the bricks in their jaws a while back... and thought it a really cool take on vampire history. Glad you outed it here. LOL.
    Happy Saturday..... love vampires - which I suppose is why I write about them!

    Linda

    www.lindathomas-sundstrom (dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 22, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Linda,

    There is something alluring about vampires, isn't there? lol

    I love reading about the lore and coming across some true evidence of a ritual performed only adds to it.

    Thanks for coming by. I'll have to check out your vampire tales. :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Kemberlee ShortlandOctober 22, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Great article, Karen.

    Just last month, Irish archaeologists discovered a burial ground in County Roscommon, about 90 minutes from me, where skeletons were found with stones in their mouths. Not just one, but a few. There are supposed to be around 3000 skeletal remains on the site and some of the plots they're calling 'deviant burials', which would include these with the stones in their mouths. I beleive theses burials date back to the 700s. They're still excaviting. Maybe I need to make a journey up there before they finish!

    If you ever make a journey to Ireland, you must go into Dublin to see the Bram Stoker House near the National Museum of Antiquities. He was born and raised in the city, and the house near the museum is where he wrote Dracula. There's a city tour which hosts a ghost tour nightly and includes places Stoker frequented. Of course, if you ever make it over, you'll have to let me know! I live just outside the city.

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  48. Karen Michelle NuttOctober 22, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Kemberlee,

    I didn't know about the Ireland's burial discovery. If you get a chance to check it out, you must let me know about it.

    I've been to the lovely Ireland. My brothers and I took a tour there about 10 years ago. Since we were on a tour, we had to go where the bus took us, but we did have some free time. In Dublin we had a couple of hours, but I didn't know about Stoker's House. Darn, I would have loved to have seen it. And I love ghost tours.

    We did take a tour of St. Michen's Church though. It was the last tour of the day, so my brothers,and one other gal with our tour and me were the only ones who went down below to the crypts. The tour guide let us touch the hand of one of the mummies-- a seven foot tall crusader. He said it was for good luck. It wasn't until later that we all thought: We just touched a corpse. Yep- the ick factor kicked in. lol This tour inspired me to write Lost in the Mist of Time-- a Time travel romance. It was the first book I had published. So maybe good luck did rub off on me.

    I long to go back to Ireland. One day maybe I'll have the funds. I'll definitely let you know so we can take ghost tour together. lol

    Thanks so much for coming by and sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by =)

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